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Advice on cyber-attack for businesses

BY:
HERTS GROWTH HUB

TAGS: Finance

Since the global coordinated ransomware attack on thousands of private and public sector organisations across dozens of countries on Friday 12th May, organisations are warned that further cases of ransomware may come to light as a new working week begins. The way these attacks work means that compromises of machines and networks that have already occurred may not yet have been detected, therefore existing infections from malware can still spread within networks.

To limit the spread and impact of the attacks, a variety of tools are now available on the National Cyber Security Centre website here and you can follow updates on how to protect your business on Twitter @ncsc

A ransomware attack of this type and scale could recur and if so, ransomware attacks are some of the most immediately damaging forms of cyber-attack. Thankfully, there are a number of easy-to-implement defences that can considerably reduce the risk of attack and the impact of successful attacks.

Three simple steps for companies to undertake to protect their business are set out on the NSCS website and can be summarised as follows:

1. Keep your organisation's security software patches up to data2. Use proper anti-virus software services3. Most importantly for ransomware, back up the data that matters to you, because you can't be held to ransom for data you hold somewhere else.

Home users and small businesses can take the following steps to protect themselves:

1. Run Windows Update2. Make sure your AntiVirus product is up to date and run a scan – If you don’t have one install one of the free trial versions from a reputable vendor3. If you have not done so before, this is a good time to think about backing important data up – You can’t be held to ransom if you’ve got the data somewhere else.

In the days ahead, the NCSC, the National Crime Agency and international partners in both other governments and the commercial sector, will continue their efforts to get ahead of this threat. You can keep up to date with their efforts on Twitter @ncsc and the Hertfordshire Growth Hub team will endeavour to keep you updated too.